I go offline for ONE day and I miss Rogers announcing they will carry the iPhone and offer it in late 2008.
Unfortunately, Rogers wasn’t too forthcoming with the details in it’s announcement. So basically we don’t know if consumers will get the current model or the super awesome 3G version that isn’t due to hit markets until July.
This deal could see Rogers subscriptions increase by 150,000, and it’s in it’s long term competitive advantage to provide the 3G version.
What about the data?
I know I want an iPhone. While I’m willing to shell out a few hundred bucks for the unit itself, I’m certainly not willing to pay that amount in data charges each month.
Rumor has it that Apple, who has previously demanded unlimited data plans from it’s telecom partners might accept an “almost unlimited” data plan which would cost $35 for 100 or 200 MB on top of voice plan charges.
Apple could also demand an “all in” voice AND data plan which would bundle various call features. The price isn’t too bad, as Rogers will sell the 8GB version for around $400 (with usual contract extensions, etc.)
While I love the iPhone, I will have to wait and see how Rogers handles the data plan because I would rack up tons and tons of bytes surfing the web to my heart’s content.
